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What
Is GABWA?
Constitution
| Bylaws
The
Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) was founded in 1981
by a group of African-American women who wanted to form a voluntary bar
organization that would focus on women and childrens issues, increase
black female representation in the judiciary and in public offices, and
take a proactive stance on political issues. Today, GABWA has over
350 financial members and a mailing list that includes over 600 law students
and legal professionals. GABWA is open to all persons, regardless of their
race or sex.
GABWA
spearheads several programs to assist women and children. Historically,
one of GABWA's most popular projects has been the "AIM Back to School
Blowout". Each year, GABWA members have contributed money or materials
to provide school supplies for children of incarcerated mothers. Then,
GABWA members stuff book bags with age appropriate school supplies, and
present them to the children at a party hosted in coordination with Aid
to Children of Imprisoned Mothers ("AIM").
Another
popular GABWA project is the annual Martin Luther King Breakfast held
at the Cascade House, a shelter for women and children. Every year on
the M. L. King holiday, GABWA members gather to prepare a hot full breakfast
for the residents of Cascade House. GABWA takes special pride in this
project because in 1995, GABWA, in conjunction with the YWCA, raised funds
and solicited in-kind contributions to assist in renovating the Cascade
House. It is a joy for our members to cook breakfast each year in a kitchen
that they helped modernize.
GABWA
has also encouraged its members to attain judicial and public office,
and our members serve in all areas of the judiciary, city, county, and
state government. During years in which local elections have been held,
GABWA ha sponsored debates and other political forums to educate the public
about the candidates. For example in 2000, GABWA sponsored a political
forum for candidates for the Fulton and Dekalb counties district attorney's
offices at the offices of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, LLP.
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